The members of the Canadian Model Forest Network (CMFN) invited guests, supporters, and partners to help celebrate its 20th anniversary. An enthusiastic crowd gathered in a top floor salon at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Ottawa, to enjoy conversation, canapés, and cocktails against a backdrop of awesome views overlooking Parliament Hill and the rest of our nation's capital.

A welcome speech from the network's President, Brian Barkley, was followed by a brief recap of the networks proud past, present, and hopeful future delivered by CMFN's Board of Directors' Chair, Daniel Arbour. A presentation was given from the International Model Forest Network Secretariat, represented by Rich Verbisky. This gave the audience a global perspective of the work and significance of the Model Forest movement not only in Canada, but internationally as well.

Smiles, laughter, words of reflection, and appreciation echoed across the room as the CMFN and its members presented awards and told stories about individuals and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions to its success. Laser-engraved maple plaques were awarded to the following recipients or in memory of important past contributors:

The Canadian Model Forest Network (CMFN) had a very successful and exciting week of meetings which involved networking with partners, looking to new opportunities, and planning for the future. A wide range of Model Forests, partners, and expert organizations came together, sharing information between scales and sectors from across Canada.

Climate Change and Knowledge Exchange: Linking Practitioners Through the CMFN

The CMFN was joined by climate change experts and policy makers to share knowledge on the current status of climate change activities in Canada, and to discuss ways that researchers and practitioners could work together to further move the topic, through joint initiatives. As a result of this meeting, there were a number of thematic areas and projects associated that could be conducted in a collaborative manner, with the engagement of a wide range of stakeholders both from the CMFN community, as well as through the network of experts. Looking forward, the focus would be on developing partnerships and using existing multi-stakeholder platforms to deliver activities, such as those of Model Forests. This is only the beginning of the discussion and the CMFN will be actively engaged in identifying its role, in partnership with other stakeholders, in future climate change activities addressing the needs of both the research and practitioner communities.

National Symposium on the Status of Integrated Land Management in Canada

The CMFN joined Canada Land Resource Innovations (CLRI) in a workshop discussing integrated landscape management (ILM) in Canada. This began with an overview of its history, presentations of current activities, and where those involved see this topic moving into the future. The workshop allowed those actively engaged on projects to present summaries of their activities, with the broad categories of: current ILM frameworks, regional projects and perspectives on ILM, and decision support tools. The event ended with a discussion of priorities and possible next steps. The CMFN will continue to engage with CLRI as they continue the discussion with their partners and as further work is developed to build on this existing knowledge.

With the recently held Crown-First Nation Gathering in Ottawa, and the situation in Attawapiskat still desperate, it's an apt time to showcase the possibilities and opportunities that exist when First Nations’ traditional values and knowledge are incorporated in addressing issues such as poor housing to come up with a new approach. 

In Clayoquot Sound, Ecotrust Canada and the Clayoquot Forest Communities Program are working with Nuu-chah-nulth communities to do just that – as was recently reported on by Duncan McCue on CBC’s The National. To watch the January 24, 2012 report regarding this work, which aims to improve the 'circle of wealth' by linking housing, employment, capacity building and economic development, please click here: CBC News . For more on this project, please see our Feature Project article below.

Found in the Clayoquot Forest Communities: green and culturally appropriate building design

With the recent spotlight on the Attawapiskat First Nation, the ongoing crisis in First Nations housing around the country is finally being given the attention it deserves. There has never been a better time to share the work being done by, and with, the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations in Clayoquot Sound to solve their housing issues.

Recognizing that working together is the only way forward, and that solutions will come from First Nations communities, the Clayoquot Forest Communities and Ecotrust Canada are working with Nuu-chah-nulth communities in Clayoquot Sound (and other partners) to design and create green and culturally appropriate homes and community buildings. The goal is to create a housing style that meets the needs of wet, west coast living, and which factors in the economy and ecosystems of Clayoquot Sound.

The project also aims to:

• Recognize both present circumstances and future prospects;
• Embrace the wisdom to be found in traditional values and use traditional knowledge as a sound starting ground;
• Use local resources and local labour, thus building local capacity;
• Grow and restore community skills.

To this end, the design of the homes will take into account cultural design elements such as the traditional long house design; use of locally harvested and milled materials such as cedar; local geography; climate; and community demographics.

Why the need?

To combat overcrowding issues, it has been estimated that there is a need for over 350 affordable, durable homes to be built in Clayoquot’s First Nation communities over the next 10 years. Coupled with this is a desire to change how current homes are designed and built in an effort to overcome issues caused by weather, projected climate changes and recent use of poor quality, non-local materials.